Simply Perfect

Brilliant and touching

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Why ruin a wonderful story with trashy casting and dreadful direction. Mr Micawber is a "character" not someone pretending to be an actor trying to be funny. When I saw Eileen Atkins name in the titles I thought she would be playing Betsy Trotwood. Oh dear! I wonder if any of the production team have read the book or even seen the original 1935 version of the film or indeed any of the later versions. Freddie Jones as Barkis was excellent and I also enjoyed Emily Hamilton's performance as Agnes Wickfield. Why the introduction of the Murdstones throughout the film ? Was it put in so that Mr. Murdstone got his "come-uppance" ? He certainly deserved a far more drastic one than he got which was nothing more than a weak ticking off. Overturning a table laden with cakes did not lend the scene any extra gravitas. Don't waste your time on this film unless, like me, you want to be very disappointed.

Directed with skills, excellent props but it's a shabby look-alike of, well... the 'David Copperfield' produced in 1999. Even the Emmy Awards says it so: 1 nomination for this film comparing to the '99 movie with 1 award and 3 nominations. Now let's talk about the cast: Sally Field played brilliantly & Michael Richards did his part in great style unlike the young Max Dolbey. Absolutely no feeling in role. Like going to the market and to buy tomatoes. My guess is that the '99 movie inspired someone and he wanted to do the same thing again hoping for the same success. Their greatest mistake is that an American thought that he could do a picture after an English book with no British help because everything in it is English, a different culture from the American one. To understand Charles Dickens and create a masterpiece after his works you must be at least partially British. In the 1999 'David Copperfield' Simon Curtis had the help of some great actors: Maggie Smith for Aunt Betsey Trotwood, Bob Hoskins for Mr. Wilkins Micawber and Ian McKellen for Mr. Creakle. This motion picture is good, nevertheless it is inferior to its British 'sister'. Watch it, but you won't be transposed in to the Dickens universe.

This film captures the idea of the book so good. There are a few flaws though like having no child actor for Steerforth and no teenage actor for David himself and cutting of some not significant plot parts but let the one who is without sin com forth and speak :) Generally it's one of the best films made after a famous book. The actors are excellent the music is great... It can throw you in Dickens's novel as if you're there. If you liked this movie and haven't read the book go out there and buy it from the nearest bookstore and you'll find out much more about the characters.7/10 - no second thoughts (btw for a TV film this is huge)

Well although I only got to see the latter half of the movie (since I tuned in to TNT when the second half was showing), I still enjoyed this film very much. It was a decent, clean film (a rarity these days) and very dramatic and leaving you wondering what will happen next, which were all major pluses in my mind. Also even though I have not read the book, I think the movie really should be judged on its own merit (as opposed to simply comparing it to the book). I would give "Copperfield" a 10 out 10.